The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1887-12-31

pAStOA "AhAeu upNdIu.
"Now, you come down." said Dick
son grufly.
"Ha! hal! laughed some one up in the
tree. "You have found me, have you2"
The laugh surprised and irritated
Dickson. His keen eyes had discovered
fellow with a blue uniform sitting on
one of the topmost limbs of the tree. 1t
had flashed into his head that it would
be an easy matter to capture him, and
march him into Blue Rock. And now
the rascal was laughing at him!
''Yon'l grin on the wrong side of
your mouth pretty soon, said Dickson,
81 mean business. Don't you know
that you are my prisoner2"
'FWell, no, was the cool reply, 81
hadn't thought Of it in that light In
fact, I was under the impression that
you were my prisoner, and l was won
dering how to dispose of you."
"Confound youl" roared the young
farmer. eff you don't come down at
once I'll shoot!"
"See here, my friend" answered the
soldier, ''you don't understand the
situation"
go, dontr' shouted Dickson.
"No, where are your eyes2 Take a
good look, but don't move"
Thus appealed to, Dickson allowed
his eyes to run over the soldiers entire
figure. He gave start of surprise. The
Federal held in his right hand a revolver
aimed at the man on the ground.
II have had you covered ever since
you came here, " said the man in the tree.
"And what do you think Of doing?
asked Dickson in a tantalizing way.
81 am going to shoot if you try to get
up, or if you cock your pistol, was tn
response; "but l expect to persuade you
to drop your weapon and go off to the
top of that hill yonder"
''You are a foolm shouted Dickson.
'Don't you know that somebody from
town will come along soon and help me
capture your
"And don't you know" replied the
other, "that some of our cavalry are
coming this way, and may be here any
moment?"
Dickson studied the face above him.
1t was dark, clear-cut, handsome face,
very youthful and pleasant in its express
sion.
"Why, you are boy, amt you?" was
his next question, as he took in the
1.-the, willowy form.
'Never mind what am; my captain
is satisfied with me, and that is
enough"
''You had better dropyour pistol and
come down. I'll sec that you are
treated we'll"
Thanks. Hadn't you better lay
down your weapon and march over that
hill, and go home to your wife and
children, If you have any? am not
particularly anxious to have our boys
como along and capture you"
The frank and fearless eyes looking
into Dicksous had kind look, and the
angry farmer found that his wrath was
gradually melting. After ALL he thought,
there would be little glory in capturing
this boy soldier And then the fellows
story might be true. If the Federals
were coming in that direction it was
time for good Confederates to HE out,
"What are you doing here anyhow"
he asked.
Il slipped in Blue Rock last night"
was the answer, "and some Of your peo-
pie chased me out. "1Iy horse was shot
and I had to take to the woods.
climbed up here to be safe until our
cavalry came along"
IN tell you what TIL do" broke in
Dickson, l don't much want to take
you prisoner, and I don't want to shoot
you. On the other hand, I'll admit that
have no fancy for being shot myself.
But I'm not going to throw down my
pistol. win get up and go to town
and when your crowd comes, if it comes
at all, you may oxpec. hot reception if
you are not too many for u.s.
There was a pause for moment, and
then the soldierin the tree spoke.